Use It – A Dialogue about Abundance and Scarcity
In the exhibition "Tondo", Katrin Schilke's artwork "Use It" presents a tongue-in-cheek exploration of the topic of abundance and scarcity. The two matching images in oval and round black frames, each 10 & 13 cm high, present a visual and textual conversation that invites us to reflect on the use and misuse of emotions and resources.
The first picture shows a historical female figure with a dreamy smile reminiscent of classical paintings. In a speech bubble is the sentence: "I think you need a little bit of this." This statement, which can almost be understood as advice or a recommendation, seems to be directed at the viewer or the second person depicted. The expression on the woman's face suggests a playful tone, but also a certain superiority - as if she possesses something that she could generously pass on.
The second image shows another female figure in a Victorian dress holding a large, anatomically correct heart in front of her face. The eyes are hidden behind the fingertips, which expresses a certain vulnerability, shame or even being overwhelmed. The accompanying speech bubble says: "You've got too much of it." This message implies that the heart shown might be too much of a good thing - be it love, emotion, devotion, or something else that seems overwhelming.
Together, these two works form a subtle yet succinct dialogue about what we need, what we have, and how to balance the two. The confrontation of the two image statements raises the question of when it is too much and when it is too little, and whether what we have is actually what we need.
Schilke plays with the concept of speech bubbles and the iconic style of classic portraits to convey a timeless yet modern message. "Use It" asks us to reflect on how we use our resources - be they material things, emotions or energy. It's a commentary on the human tendency to exaggerate, but also on the need to use what we have wisely and recognize when enough is enough.